WellesleyWeston Magazine

WINTER 2016-2017

Launched in 2005, WellesleyWeston Magazine is a quarterly publication tailored to Wellesley and Weston residents and edited to enrich the experience of living in two of Massachusetts' most desirable communities.

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Page 121 of 211

walked into another's home, he or she would
know his or her way around. (See the model
floor plan.)
Generally, the split entries of the era, wher-
ever they were, were fairly predictable. They
had a small entry between an upper and lower
floor. The living/dining room, kitchen, and bedrooms were all on the
upper floor. Although, this implies the upper level was the main floor.
This was not entirely so.
In fact, living rooms were not lived in; they were for the use of
adults and for "company." Likewise, dining rooms were rarely used—
and almost never for everyday eating. Bedrooms were for sleeping and
dressing. No one was expected to lounge around in them, although
children often had desks there for homework. Here's what children
didn't have in their rooms: TVs, phones, and, of course, computers.
On Sherburn Circle, the kitchens were huge for the times, with a gen-
erous area for eating and a tiny built-in hibachi, a feature destined for
oblivion. In deference to the stay-at-home mom, there was a window
to the world over the kitchen sink, her designated station.
While mom's spot was clear, the rest of the family's was not, and any-
one who wanted to watch TV ended up downstairs. In this neighbor-
hood, the lower-level "rec" rooms were large, dark-paneled rooms that
served as a hang-out area for teens and tweens, with sliding
glass doors to enormous backyards, where kids actually
played. With the addition of a leather Barcalounger and a
humidor, the rooms often doubled as a man cave for dad.
A second basement room, whose paneled
décor matched the rec room, was used as a home
office by some, for an au pair bedroom by others
(this was Weston, after all), or for a guest. And
120
Sherburn Circle
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First Floor
Lower Level
Despite the uniformity of the homes,
the Magnantis produced the
impression of individuality, varying
the facades and setbacks, and creating
the floor plans in mirror image.
Sherburn Circle Styles
Colonial / Cape / Split Entry